The Cuckmaker's System: Netori fromm the First Day-Chapter 20: Picking Up the Coin

The next morning came in gray and chilly. Kai woke to the smell of coffee drifting up the stairs and the quiet clink of dishes. Thorne was still dead to the world—he’d rolled in late last night, boots caked with mud, given Elara a tired kiss, squeezed Lira in a half-asleep hug, slapped Kai on the shoulder with a gruff "good to have you around," and then crashed into bed. He wasn’t getting up before noon.

Kai pulled on his pants and shirt, buckled the new sword at his hip, slung the Storm Axe across his back. No staff this time—Finn had taken it yesterday to sell. If the old collector in Eldor liked the crystal’s remaining spark, thirty silver would be waiting. That would push him past a hundred. Real money. Enough for chainmail, a decent horse, or just to stop counting every coin like it might be the last.

He slipped downstairs barefoot so the boards wouldn’t creak.

Elara was at the stove, pouring coffee into chipped mugs. Lira sat at the table with her knees pulled up, wearing one of Kai’s old shirts again. It hung loose on her, sleeves rolled up, hem barely covering her thighs. She looked up when he came in and gave him a small, sleepy smile.

"Hey," she said.

"Morning," Kai said. He walked over and kissed the top of her head without thinking about it. She leaned into it for a second, like it was the most normal thing.

Elara turned from the stove, handed him a mug. "Coffee’s hot. Thorne’s still snoring like a bear. You two have the morning."

Kai took a sip. Strong, black, just right. "I’m going to Finn’s. Coin from the staff should be ready. Lira, come with?"

Lira’s face brightened. "Yeah. I haven’t seen him since yesterday. I kinda miss him... in a normal way, you know?"

Elara smiled—soft, understanding. "Go. Tell him I said hi, and that he still owes me a new ladle. The last one he made cracked the first time I hit a stubborn pot with it."

Lira laughed. "He’ll blame me. Say I’m too rough on his stuff."

Elara rolled her eyes. "He always does. Just go. Have fun. I’ll hold down the house."

Lira grabbed a light shawl, threw it around her shoulders. Kai finished his coffee in two big swallows. They stepped outside together.

The village was waking up slow. Smoke drifted from chimneys, a dog barked in the distance, kids chased each other past the well. They walked side by side—not holding hands, not with people around, but close enough that their arms brushed every few steps.

Lira glanced at him sideways. "You feeling okay? After the camp? Mom said you came back all banged up."

Kai rolled his shoulder, testing the ribs. "Sore. But it’s fading. The axe did most of the work."

Lira looked at him for a long second. "I was scared the whole time you were gone. Every time I heard footsteps outside, I thought maybe it was someone coming to tell us... something bad. I didn’t sleep much."

Kai slowed down a little. "I’m not going anywhere. Not for good."

Lira gave a small smile. "Good. Because... I like this. Us. Mom too. It’s messed up and weird and I feel guilty half the time, but it’s... good weird. Like I’m finally awake or something."

They reached Finn’s forge. The hammer was already ringing inside, steady and loud. Smoke curled from the chimney. Door propped open.

Finn was bent over the anvil, pounding a horseshoe into shape. Sweat glistened on his forehead, apron tied loose around his waist. He looked up when they stepped in.

"Lira!" he said, hammer stopping mid-swing. A big, easy grin spread across his face. "And Kai. Didn’t expect to see both of you this early."

Lira walked over and hugged him quick. "Hey. Missed you."

Finn hugged her back—careful, arms loose so he didn’t get soot on her shawl. "Missed you too. Been stuck here hammering iron all day. Mom said you were out picking berries or something."

Lira laughed. "Yeah. Weeds and berries. Garden doesn’t care if I’m tired."

Finn looked over at Kai. "You’re looking rough, man. Camp go okay?"

Kai leaned on the counter. "Better than okay. Forty silver. You got the coin from the staff?"

Finn nodded. Reached under the counter and pulled out a small leather pouch. Tossed it to Kai.

"Twenty-eight silver," Finn said. "Old man in Eldor paid thirty. The crystal still had a little flicker—said it’s good for a low-rank mage. Took my two for the trip and haggling. Fair?"

Kai caught the pouch. Felt the weight. Ninety-five total now. "Fair. Thanks."

Kai pocketed the pouch. "Thanks, Finn. See you."

Finn grinned. "Don’t spend it all in one place." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Lira smiled—small, guilty, happy.

They turned to leave. Finn went back to the anvil. Hammer started ringing again—loud, steady.

Lira glanced at Kai. Her eyes flicked to Finn’s back—focused on the metal, sparks flying—then to the small storage room behind the forge. Door half-open, dim inside.

She leaned close to Kai. Whispered so low only he could hear. "He’s busy. Won’t notice if we... slip away for a second."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Here?"

Lira bit her lip. "Just quick. I’ve been wet since breakfast. Thinking about last night. About you fucking me while Dad snored. I need a little taste."

Kai looked at Finn—back turned, hammer ringing loud.

Kai nodded once. "Quick."

Lira grabbed his hand. Pulled him into the storage room. The door half-closed behind them—enough to block sight, but not sound.

Small space—shelves of tools, leather scraps, oil cans. Dim light from a high window.

Lira turned to him immediately. Her hand slid down his stomach, fingers working the laces of his pants. She pulled them open just enough. His cock sprang free—already half-hard from her whisper.

Lira wrapped her fingers around him. Stroked slow, firm. Her thumb brushed over the head, spreading the bead of pre-cum that had formed.

"Gods," she breathed. "You’re already getting hard. You like the risk too, don’t you?"

Kai rested one hand on her shoulder. "Keep it quiet."

Lira stroked faster—long, smooth pulls from base to tip. Her other hand cupped his balls, rolling them gently. She leaned in, kissed the side of his neck while her hand worked him.

Outside, Finn’s hammer rang steady. He hummed a little tune to himself, completely unaware.

Lira’s strokes grew bolder. She twisted her wrist at the head each time, thumb pressing the sensitive underside. Kai’s hips jerked once—small, involuntary.

"Fuck," he muttered under his breath.

Lira smiled against his neck. "Shh. He’ll hear."

She sped up—hand slick now from pre-cum. Her grip tightened. She pumped him faster, thumb circling the tip on every upstroke.

Kai’s breathing turned rough. "Close."

Lira dropped to her knees. Took him into her mouth—lips stretching around the head. Sucked hard. Tongue pressed flat underneath, flicking quickly.

Kai’s hand came to her hair. Fingers threaded through. Not pushing—just holding.

Lira bobbed—shallow at first, then deeper. Gagged softly once—eyes watering—but kept going. Her hand stroked what her mouth couldn’t reach.

Finn’s hammer paused for a second. He called out, "Lira? Kai? You two still here?"

Lira froze—cock deep in her mouth. Eyes wide.

Kai answered casual, voice steady. "Yeah. Just looking at some leather scraps. Be right out."

Finn laughed. "Okay. Don’t get lost in there. Mom’s got bread ready."

The hammer started again.

Lira exhaled through her nose. Went back to sucking—faster now. Risk made her eager. She hollowed her cheeks, tongue swirling.

Kai’s fingers tightened in her hair. "Gonna come."

Lira nodded—eyes locked on his. Sucked harder.

Kai groaned low—barely audible over the hammer. Came—thick pulses across her tongue. Lira swallowed—once, twice—then pulled back slow. The last spurt landed on her lower lip. She licked it off.

Kai tucked himself away. Helped her stand.

Lira wiped her mouth. Smiled—naughty, satisfied. "Tastes like you. Always."

Kai kissed her quick—tasted himself on her lips. "Good girl."

They stepped out. Finn was wiping his hands.

"Found what you needed?" he asked.

Lira smiled—innocent. "Yeah. Just checking some leather scraps."

Finn laughed. "Come on—bread’s ready."

They ate. Talked. Normal.

But Lira’s hand rested on Kai’s thigh under the table. Her fingers brushed him once—secret.

Finn didn’t notice.

They left later. Finn handed Kai the pouch—twenty-eight silver.

"See you soon," Finn said. "Stay safe out there."

Kai nodded. "You too."

On the walk home, Lira slipped her hand into his—hidden by the trees.

"That was bad," she whispered. "Right behind him. I could hear him hammering while I had you in my mouth. Made me so wet."

Kai squeezed her hand. "You liked the risk."

Lira nodded. "I did. Made me come harder last night. Thinking about it now... I’m wet again."

Kai kissed her temple. "Tonight. After he sleeps. Guest room. We’ll make it even riskier."

Lira shivered. "Promise?"

"Promise."